In Willow Spring last night, Guyanese immigrant and NC transplant, Marina Nostrand, told NAN the wind had picked up slightly and there was a slight rain that was on and off.

“I worked until 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. straight and came home since we’re off tomorrow because of the storm,” said Nostrand, who added that a lot of people were calling expressing concern. “I filled up my tubs and pots and we have charcoal and water and bread. I don’t think a lot will happen here, but I’m concerned if the trees fall and the power goes out. They claim we will have 8 inches so will have to wait and see.”

While Jamaican immigrant, Franklyn Cuffe, took to social media to let everyone know he was waiting on the storm. “Well home is cleaned, laundry is done, I have plenty food, water, and Gatorade. Chilling in my bed. Oh a nice warm shower too,” he posted while adding: “Behave Florence!”

Over in Fuquay-Varina, some 1-and-a-half hours from Wilmington, Alex Sahadeo says he is all prepped with food, water and a generator but hopes it won’t be nothing but a rain event.

“Right now we are getting rain and I can hear the wind picking up outside but other than that the forecasters are saying we have been downgraded and out of harm’s way for now so that’s good news,” Sahadeo told NAN late night.

But at JD’s Caribbean Cuisine in Jacksonville, North Carolina, close to the path of the hurricane, everyone was gone and the place shuttered. “Closed until further notice Everyone stay safe from Hurricane Florence; bless up.”

Hurricane Florence was expected to make land fall in the wee hours of Friday morning but yesterday afternoon, the effect of the storm’s bands were already being felt on coastal areas along North Carolina like Wilmington and New Bern as well as on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The storm is expected to dump 8 months of rain on the area in three days and sit over the state until at least Monday before heading out to sea on Tuesday. Officials are worried about storm surge and flooding from overflowing rivers as well as downed trees which could result in a loss of power for days and even weeks.

North Carolina is home to a growing number of Caribbean immigrants, many of whom are from Jamaica and Guyana who have moved there from New York.